More contemporary fans will remember Stottlemyre as a pitching coach who earned five World Series - four with the New York Yankees and one with the New York Mets. Stottlemyre also served in this capacity with the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners.
But Stottlemyre was arguably the most underrated starting pitcher in the American League during the 1960's spending his entire MLB playing career with the Yankees. He was called up late in the 1964 season and went 9-3 with a 2.06 ERA in a dozen starts. At only 22, Stottlemyre started three games in that year's World Series against St. Louis Cardinals and was matched against Bob Gibson all three times. Stottlemyre would prevail over Gibson in Game 2, but fell short in the deciding Game 7.
For the remaining decade of his career, the Yankees were a shell of their former selves. But Stottlemyre would win 20 or more games thrice, led the AL in complete games twice and would be selected to five AL All-Star teams. When he finished his big league career in 1974, Stottlemyre went 164-139 with a 2.97 ERA in 360 big league games.
Two of his sons, Mel, Jr. and Todd also pitched in the majors while his third son Jason died of childhood leukemia.
On Old Timers' Day in 2015, the Yankees would bestow Stottlemyre with a plaque in Monument Park, an honor which came as a complete surprise as one can see below. R.I.P.
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